6 cute ways to serve your summer drinks

With outdoor entertaining in full swing, it’s all about serving cool, refreshing drinks on a humid day. Here are some fun and decorative ways to serve your ice-colds.

By Talia Hart

June 27, 2014

Photo, Kristina Curtis.

Drink presentation

The indispensable dispenser

A drink dispenser is wonderful addition to any backyard get-together (or even for a kid's lemonade stand!). Of course, the biggest perk is that your bevvies will stay bug-free.

Short Footed Glass Beverage Dispenser, $90, Williams-Sonoma.

Vintage glassware

Get crafty with your drink glasses and opt for something different, such as milk and pop bottles. They will add a fun, vintage look to your summer soiree.

Vintage milk bottles, $27, Etsy.

Glass-Milk-Bottles-for-drinks-lemonade-straws

The strong stuff

Plan on serving some of the hard stuff? Forgo shot glasses and opt for lemon halves instead. These would go great with limoncello and vodka — don't forget a sprinkle of sugar!

Stuffed-lemon-with-drink-and-straw-lemon-half

Photo, excerpted from Bite by Bite by Peter Callahans.

Put a straw in it

Throw brightly coloured straws into drinkware — it's an easy and inexpensive way to dress up your summer cocktails. Tip: Have guests write their initials on washi tape and secure on straws like a flag. No more lost cups!

Stripey straws, $14 for set of 25, Etsy.

Mason-jar-drinks-lemonade-yellow-straws-pink-flags-backyard-outdoor-party

Photo, Kristina Curtis.

The drink station

Create a drink station using an old cart or console table, then dress it up with your party essentials.

Photo, Carolyn Darragh via Desire Empire.

A classic pitcher

Whether you're hosting a casual brunch or a blow-out BBQ, a glass pitcher can always come in handy. Bonus: It can also double as a vase.

Solano Pitcher, $39, Pottery Barn.

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